The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) saved about 8100 tons of carbon dioxide IN 2015, Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA, said during a ceremony to honour authorities, companies and individuals winning the 3rd Energy and Green Economy Award. RTA annually presents these awards to strategic partners in the government sector, clients such as suppliers, contractors and consultants in addition to its sectors, agencies and employees. The award intends to reward owners of the best ideas and practices contributing to the green economy and power-saving concepts.

Scores of directors of entities, contracting companies, and consultancy offices as well as CEOs of the RTA attended the award-presentation ceremony. Al Tayer presented Green Frond trophies to winners of the Award. The Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA) won the Energy & Green Economy Award in the category of strategic partners, and Serco won the award in the category of RTA’s clients. The Public Transport Agency won the Best RTA’s Agency/Sector for the Electric Bus project, and won the Best Project Award for Reusing & Recycling Bus Maintenance Wastes. Rami Asaad bin Shamsa won the Energy and Green Economy Award in the individuals’ category. Al Tayer also honoured members of the Judges Panel as well as the Chair and Members of the Energy and Green Economy Award’s team at RTA.

"The launch of Energy and Green Economy Award is in line with the national initiative launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in 2012 entitled: Green Economy for a Sustainable Development. RTA has rolled out several initiatives aimed at conserving the environment such as the clean energy and green buildings. RTA boasts of several pioneering projects such as the Dubai Metro and Dubai Tram projects, which are considered among the best mass transit systems worldwide. Both projects are powered by electric power and at the same time contribute to reducing the use of private vehicles. Thus they contribute to reducing carbon emission in Dubai city, and realizing the ultimate objective of safety and environmental sustainability for future generations," said Al Tayer.

"Over the past 3 years, RTA has accomplished 45 projects, initiatives related to energy and green economy. It has also set the Green Economy Section at RTA’s level. It has introduced green building codes at world-class standards and is planning to obtain LEED certification for Route 2020 Project, which would be on the go fairly soon. RTA is also seeking to convert all street lights to lights using LED technology by 2030, which would reduce the carbon footprint by more than 3000 tons per annum," said Al Tayer.

"In 2015 RTA launched the Electric Bus with a battery chargeable up to 80% within less than 30 minutes. With a fully charged battery, the bus can travel 200 km, and has a speed of 100 km/h. RTA has also engaged in a pilot project for operating a bus powered by compressed natural gas (CNG), and a project for measuring the carbon footprint of vehicles in the emirate of Dubai. It had also successfully launched the trial run of environment-friendly hybrid taxi vehicles in 2008. It intends to increase the fleet of these vehicles to as much as 50% by 2020. These vehicles have carbon emissions rates 30% lower than other vehicles. In keeping with the Dubai Government policy to bring happiness to people, RTA launched services via smart phones, which contributed to environmental conservation efforts. Each transaction performed online or via smart apps saves the customer travelling 28 km, and reduces carbon emissions by 15 kg. In 2015, RTA saved about 8100 tons of carbon dioxide," explained Al Tayer.

Nasser Abu Shehab, acting CEO of RTA’s Strategy and Corporate Governance Sector, and Chair of Energy & Green Economy Committee said: "Over the past few years, RTA has made significant progress in the transition towards sustainability & green economy through adopting numerous plans, solutions and strategies contributing to sustainability. The public transport means, comprising the metro, tram and public buses in Dubai, are environment-friendly (green) modes as they consume fuel considered the cleanest worldwide.

"The green economy is a key tool for building a safe and sustainable future for humanity. The proliferation of this model to all sectors and availing the benefits it offers is closely associated with a string of factors and conditions. The UAE is making a clear effort in this regard in collaboration with the UN Environment Program and several specialized UN Agencies,'' he added.

Source :WAM